Making the most of Streamlined Authorities

4 July 2007

On 1 July 2007 new Streamlined Authority codes were introduced. These codes align with specific indications.

There are three steps to be completed to prescribe a streamlined authority item:

• Your patient MUST meet the PBS restriction criteria for the item
• The prescription MUST be written on an authority prescription form
• The prescription MUST include the streamlined authority code corresponding to the PBS restriction that your patient meets.

There are various ways to access the codes from this website:

Search for the item you are prescribing.

You will be taken to the item listing where you can see all information about the item, including form and strength, maximum repeats and cost. From here you can click the Authority Required (Streamlined) <underlined in red> to read the restriction and view the code.

Navigating to the complete list of Streamlined Authorities.

Look for the item you wish to prescribe and click on the code. You will be taken to the item listing where you can see all information about the item; including form and strength, maximum repeats and cost. From here you can click the Authority Required (Streamlined) <underlined in red> to read the restriction and view the code.

Other key features of the website that will display the Streamlined Authority codes from the restriction text of the listing include:

• Browse by A-Z medicine listing (similar to searching an index).
• Browse by Body System (browse by ATC)
• Advanced Search (to search a specific section of the Schedule)

More information on Streamlined Authorities can be found on the fact sheet.